Martin Lewis, the renowned financial expert, has turned his attention from pounds and pence to pedometers, revealing an astonishing personal fitness achievement for 2025.
The Step Count That Smashed All Targets
According to his own calculations, the 53-year-old founder of MoneySavingExpert.com took a staggering 9,532,571 steps over the course of the year. This mammoth total averages out at roughly 26,000 steps every single day, completely obliterating the widely promoted 10,000-step daily health goal.
While Lewis admitted in a blog post updated on January 5 that tracking his steps had become something of an 'obsession', he credits one straightforward principle for his success.
The 'Big Rule' That Keeps Him Moving
"My big rule… if I'm talking, I'm walking," Lewis wrote. He explained that any phone call or audio-only meeting is now an automatic prompt to get moving. "If I have a phone call to make or a meeting that doesn't need a video call, then I do it while walking. Often, this is outdoors – I try to get all my calls arranged in a row so I can have a long walk," he detailed.
The habit is now so ingrained that he instinctively stands up to walk before answering a ringing phone. He even applies this disciplined approach to his work commute, opting for a 75-minute walk to his TV studio instead of transport, regardless of the weather.
NHS Advice: You Don't Need Marathon Walks
Despite Lewis's extraordinary step count, official health guidance emphasises that such extremes are not necessary for most people to see benefits. The NHS states that you 'do not have to walk for hours' to gain from this low-impact activity.
In fact, just a brisk 10-minute walk daily can help improve stamina, burn calories and support heart health. A 'brisk' pace is generally considered to be around three miles per hour – faster than a casual stroll.
Supporting this, Professor Claire Steves from King's College London highlighted on the ZOE Podcast that 45 minutes of walking three times a week could boost cognitive function and brain health. "Whatever you're doing, if you go up by a third, you'll be improving yourself," she advised.
For those looking to start, the NHS recommends using tools like the free Active 10 app to monitor walking speed and gradually increase distance. They also suggest water-based exercises for individuals with joint concerns, as the water provides support while building strength.
